2019 Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc L'Echelier, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

This is 100% Chenin Blanc from 70 year old vines in the Loire Valley. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has loads of minerality with a touch of lemon peel. Slightly viscous texture. Concentrated. Lots of energy. On the palate, this is clean and tasty with a lot of minerality. Slight lemon note. Long finish. This is very young but drinking well. It should continue to drink well for another ten to fifteen years (at least). A great match for grilled trout or other sea food. This is expensive so shop around for pricing.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2019

Current Price:

$68.00USD

Vouvray: A Chenin Blanc for the Ages

Among Americans, the Loire Valley is most often associated with gardens and castles and not much else. We journey the 150 kilometers southwest from Paris and take a day or two visiting Chateau de Chambord and Chenonceau, all the while enjoying the delightful flora and thinking of bygone days when princes and noblemen still roamed the cavernous halls in this ancient land. But the French know better. They know what we foreigners are just beginning to discover—that some of the most interesting, delicious, and affordable wines in the world hail from the chalky soil on which those famous castles stand.

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2012 Domaine Michel Chevre Saumur Blanc Clos de l'Ecotard, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is a Chenin Blanc from the central part of the Loire Valley. Medium "olde" gold in color with just a touch of copper. The nose is very nice with lots of minerals, a bit of salinity and some orange peel. On the palate, this is dry. Nice citrus with some orange pith and underlying minerality. Slightly tart on the finish. A lovely, slightly oily texture. Chenin ages very well and this is still drinking well.

2018 Domaine de l'Enchantoir Saumur Blanc Terres Blanches, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$20.00USD

This is a really enjoyable Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley of France. Light gold in color, clear and bright. The nose has lots of minerals, orange peel and slight floral notes. Medium bodied. Slightly sweet. Concentrated minerality on the palate. Long finish. This is delicious now and should drink well for another decade. It drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter salads and seafoods.

2002 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Carte d'Or, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2002

Score:

Grade:

This is a dessert wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape. At age 17, this is doing great. Chenin is one of the longest lived wine grapes out there. Golden in color. The nose is great with sea air, orange peel, crushed shells and honey. Medium bodied. This is sweet, not cloying or even very sweet but more than off dry. There is also a bitter note on the finish which complements the sweetness nicely. In between, some citrus and lots of minerality. Nice acidity. This would work with citrus based desserts well or in a small glass on its own. No hurry, this has at least a decade left i

2005 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$80.00USD

This sweet Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France so no signs of ageing at all. Light yellow/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose has pears, honey, white peaches, with a bit of crushed shells and salinity. Full bodied. Slightly viscous. On the palate, this is sweet but just a bit, certainly not cloying. Good acidity. The honey, peaches and and minerality come thru. A very long finish. This wine is deep and stops the drinker in his or her tracks. It drinks great on its own and might be harder to match with food. A not too sweet shortbread cookie or a soft goat cheese wo

2019 Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc L'Echelier, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

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Vouvray: A Chenin Blanc for the Ages

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2002 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Carte d'Or, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

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